Song Liang remembered receiving the notice that the instance’s difficulty had increased right after he kicked Xiao Wenyu. Both he and the system had therefore assumed the kick was the cause.
Looking back, however, Xiao Wenyu might have been dangerous, but he was still only a disposable supporting villain. He hardly seemed capable of raising the entire instance’s difficulty from F to A.
Besides, 3085 had later explained that the rating came from the Main System’s overall predictions of the plot’s development and the host’s behavior.
It was therefore possible that, after Song Liang kicked Xiao Wenyu, the Main System had accurately predicted he would become involved in Xiao Yi’s attack—and even intervene of his own accord.
Predicting the first part would be understandable. Predicting the second would suggest an almost unimaginably powerful system.
After all, Song Liang usually didn’t know what he would do the next second himself.
Hearing that thought, 3085 couldn’t resist commenting.
【So you do know that?】
Song Liang ignored it. After a moment’s reflection, he curved his lips.
“I’d quite like to meet your Main System.”
【…The Main System isn’t a person. It’s the collective will of all the worlds. Why would you want to meet it? It has no emotions and can’t converse with you.】
Song Liang didn’t answer that.
“Sounds like a tool. Who uses it?”
【The Transmigration Bureau. Our ultimate governing authority.】
3085 grew wary.
【Why are you asking?】
“You suddenly dragged me into this world to carry out missions. Surely I should know what kind of organization you belong to.”
【…You make it sound like I abducted you. You agreed yourself.】
【All systems belong to the Transmigration Bureau. It’s a legitimate, lawful organization that fully respects its hosts’ human rights. Satisfied?】
Song Liang began, “Then—”
“Song Liang! Are you listening to me?”
A voice suddenly grated in his ear.
Song Liang paused and lifted his phone.
“Sorry. Forgot I was on a call. What did you say?”
An exasperated Xiao Ji repeated himself.
Essentially, the patriarch’s birthday banquet would be an important occasion, unlike the usual family dinners. Many prominent guests would attend. Song Liang needed to prepare beforehand and avoid embarrassing himself.
Song Liang knew that no amount of preparation would make someone of his status an appropriate match for the Xiao family’s future heir.
There would probably be no shortage of people trying to make things difficult for him.
“Is your uncle going?”
Xiao Ji didn’t answer immediately.
Normally, his uncle certainly wouldn’t attend. But this year, Xiao Musheng had personally instructed Xiao Ji to come, clearly intending to question his alliance with the Songs.
Given Xiao Yi’s dislike of Song Liang, Xiao Ji had assumed he would stay out of it. Recently, however, his attitude had softened. He had even agreed, unprecedentedly, to let Song Liang move into Huayin.
Perhaps he would accompany them to the old family home.
Of course, that was only speculation.
Xiao Ji had angered his uncle first, and Xiao Yi disliked Song Liang enough to have nearly attacked him. Perhaps he no longer wanted to concern himself with Xiao Ji’s affairs at all.
“Uncle doesn’t usually go back to the old family home.”
“Why?”
“No reason. It’s none of your business.”
Xiao Ji impatiently hung up.
Song Liang sighed at his phone.
“Still so heartless. He doesn’t treat the other lead like that.”
【Bullshit. Early on, the other lead had to sleep with him and sometimes cook for himself. Later, during the forced-love part, he couldn’t even leave the house. How does that compare with you? You have dedicated staff feeding you your meals.】
“Can’t help it. I’m blessed.”
Song Liang calmly opened his mouth for the servant’s offering, nestled comfortably into the soft leather sofa, and drawled, “Did you just swear?”
【Well…so what…】
The system sounded both flustered and guilty.
Song Liang suddenly smiled.
“I can report that, can’t I?”
【…Please.】
“Call me Daddy.”
【…】
“I’m report—”
【Daddy!】
Song Liang waved magnanimously.
“You’re forgiven.”
What a shameless bastard.
“Achoo!”
Song Liang suddenly sneezed. The servant beside him immediately asked whether he wanted a blanket. He shook his head.
This house had been Xiao Yi’s coming-of-age gift to Xiao Ji, and naturally, no expense had been spared. Not only was the location expensive, but every facility inside was designed for luxurious comfort.
Its elaborate environmental-control system kept everything perfectly pleasant. The temperature wasn’t the issue. His body had simply become a little weaker since the injury.
【This is an ordinary human body. You can’t keep forcibly adjusting it, or it’ll backfire.】
Song Liang had noticed the changes himself. This time, he didn’t insist on having his way and nodded in agreement.
3085 wasn’t entirely reassured.
It had learned its lesson: sometimes even its host didn’t know what dangerous stunt he might pull the next second.
As the New Year approached, public discussion of the Xiao Group’s annual gala gradually faded.
Those truly within Linhai’s upper circles, however, knew the relationship between the Song family’s second son and Xiao Ji was probably settled.
Apparently, the two were already living together.
Song Liang received plenty of invitations during that time and declined them all. Then, on a bright, sunny day, he packed his luggage and moved into Xiao Yi’s home.
The house was in Feixi No. 1, a villa estate in Huayin where even the paving stones and landscaped verges occupied land worth a fortune. The entrance itself resembled a work of art.
His previous visit had been after the annual gala, late at night, with Xiao Ji dragging him along. He hadn’t had a proper chance to admire it.
This time, with his injured arm in a sling, he instructed the Xiao family’s driver to slow down and enjoyed the view to his heart’s content before entering Xiao Yi’s villa.
Looking at the luxurious residence, with a pool in front, a garden behind, and a neat line of servants waiting to greet him, Song Liang asked inside his head, 【Does this count as infiltrating the main villain’s lair?】
【…】
He hadn’t expected an answer. He approached the middle-aged woman at the head of the welcoming line.
“Where’s your employer?”
“Sir isn’t home.”
Aunt Jiang smiled at the young man who was reportedly their young master’s partner.
“Your room is ready, Mr. Song. Shall I show you upstairs?”
“What should I call you?”
“Aunt Jiang will do.”
“Aunt Jiang.”
Song Liang walked toward the villa.
“From now on, call me the young mistress.”
Aunt Jiang: “…”
He turned and smiled at her.
“Just kidding.”
Aunt Jiang: “…”
She managed a strained smile.
“You have quite a sense of humor, Mr. Song.”
“Nothing special. Mostly natural talent.”
Surveying the furnishings and decor on the ground floor, Song Liang asked, “Am I sharing a room with Xiao Ji?”
Aunt Jiang paused. Remembering the rumors of their impending engagement, she replied, “If you would prefer—”
“Keep us far apart.”
“…Of course.”
Seeing her confusion, Song Liang smiled and explained, “To keep the spark alive.”
Aunt Jiang said nothing.
On the night of the gala, she had personally witnessed how this young man had sparked a conflict between her employer and his nephew. She had already concluded that he would be no easy person to deal with.
After touring the house, Song Liang was heading downstairs when he spotted the room where he had spoken with Xiao Yi that night.
He instinctively moved toward it, but Aunt Jiang stopped him.
“That is Sir’s study. You may not enter.”
Song Liang raised an eyebrow.
“Xiao Ji can’t enter either?”
Aunt Jiang blinked.
“Young Master Xiao Ji may.”
“Then why can’t I?”
“…”
The question caught her off guard.
“Mr. Xiao’s instructions. Outsiders aren’t allowed in.”
“Anywhere else I’m not allowed?”
“Mr. Xiao’s bedroom, Young Master Xiao Ji’s bedroom, and the basement.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “Please also avoid the garden behind the villa.”
“All right.”
Song Liang nodded, walked downstairs, and headed directly for the garden.
Aunt Jiang stared, then hurried after him.
“Mr. Song—”
The weather was lovely.
In the middle of the spacious garden stood a glasshouse shaped like a small cottage. Its transparent walls refracted the sunlight into shimmering colors.
Inside, a profusion of crimson Crescent roses bloomed, thorns and green leaves entwined beneath clusters of coral-red flowers.
A figure sat quietly amid the sea of red.
Sunlight fell over him, shifting flecks of brightness dancing across his handsome profile and defining the clean line of his jaw. His cool, pale skin resembled softly lustrous ice.
Beneath lowered lashes, a deep green forest lay half concealed. He was absorbed in the book in his hands.
Supporting his still-injured arm, Song Liang leaned casually against the wall and smiled at him.
“So you are at home, aren’t you?”
Xiao Yi: “…”
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